Low power physical layer driver topologies

ABSTRACT

System, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate transmission of data, particularly between two devices within electronic equipment. Transmission lines are selectively terminated in an N-phase polarity encoded transmitter when the transmission lines would otherwise be undriven. Data is mapped to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires. The sequence of symbols is encoded in three signals. A first terminal of a plurality of terminals may be driven such that transistors are activated to couple the first terminal to first and second voltage levels. The first terminal may further be driven such that a dedicated transistor is activated to couple the first terminal to an intermediate voltage level. The dedicated transistor is activated based on a voltage level for driving a second terminal of the three terminals and a voltage level for driving a third terminal of the three terminals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/183,050, entitled “LOW POWER PHYSICAL LAYER DRIVER TOPOLOGIES” filed on Jun. 22, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates generally to high-speed data communications, and more particularly, to line interfaces for driving signal wires in a multi-phase system.

Background

High-speed interfaces are frequently used between circuits and components of mobile devices and other complex apparatus. For example, certain devices may include processing, communications, storage and/or display devices that interact with one another through communications links. Some of these devices, including synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), may be capable of providing or consuming data and control information at processor clock rates. Other devices, such as display controllers, may require variable amounts of data at relatively low video refresh rates.

High-speed interfaces are often limited by clock skew and are subject to interference. High frequency signals are often transmitted using differential interfaces to provide common-mode rejection for critical signals. In devices such as memory devices, which transmit and receive large amounts of data over wide data and control buses, interfaces may be expensive and may consume significant power and real-estate on a circuit board.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods and apparatus for communicating between two devices that may be collocated in an electronic apparatus and communicatively coupled through one or more data links.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method for data transfer includes mapping data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals, encoding the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, and obtaining a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals. The method further includes driving the first terminal by outputting a first voltage level from a first driver when the signal is in a first phase, driving the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level from the first driver when the signal is in a second phase, and driving the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level from a second driver when the first signal is in a third phase. The third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the first driver includes a first transistor and a second transistor. Outputting the first voltage level from the first driver includes turning on the first transistor and turning off the second transistor to output the first voltage level when the signal is in the first phase. The first terminal is driven towards the first voltage level when the first voltage level is output. Outputting the second voltage level from the first driver includes turning on the second transistor and turning off the first transistor to output the second voltage level when the signal is in the second phase. The first terminal is driven towards the second voltage level when the second voltage level is output. The first transistor and the second transistor are turned off when the signal is in the third phase.

The method may further include driving the second terminal of the plurality of terminals by outputting the fourth voltage level from a third driver and driving the third terminal of the plurality of terminals by outputting the fifth voltage level from a fourth driver. In an aspect of the disclosure, the second driver includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor. Outputting the third voltage level from the second driver when the first signal is in the third phase includes receiving the fourth voltage level output from the third driver and the fifth voltage level output from the fourth driver, and turning on the third transistor and the fourth transistor of the second driver according to the received fourth voltage level and the received fifth voltage level to output the third voltage level. The first terminal is driven towards the third voltage level when the third voltage level is output.

In an aspect, the third voltage level is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level and the second voltage level. Moreover, the third transistor and the fourth transistor are turned off when the first signal is in the first phase or in the second phase.

In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for data transfer includes means for mapping data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals, means for encoding the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, means for obtaining a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals, means for driving the first terminal by outputting a first voltage level from a first driver when the signal is in a first phase, means for driving the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level from the first driver when the signal is in a second phase, means for driving the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level from a second driver when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals, means for driving the second terminal by outputting the fourth voltage level from a third driver, and means for driving the third terminal by outputting the fifth voltage level from a fourth driver.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a transmitter includes a plurality of terminals driven by line drivers and a processing circuit configured to map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via the plurality of terminals, encode the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, and obtain a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals. The transmitter further includes a first line driver configured to drive the first terminal by outputting a first voltage level when the signal is in a first phase, and drive the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level when the signal is in a second phase. The transmitter also includes a second line driver configured to drive the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals. The transmitter further includes a third line driver configured to drive the second terminal by outputting the fourth voltage level and a fourth line driver configured to drive the third terminal by outputting the fifth voltage level.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a processor-readable storage medium having one or more instructions which, when executed by at least one processing circuit, cause the at least one processing circuit to map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via the plurality of terminals, encode the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, obtain a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals, drive the first terminal by outputting a first voltage level when the signal is in a first phase, drive the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level when the signal is in a second phase, drive the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals, drive the second terminal by outputting the fourth voltage level, and drive the third terminal by outputting the fifth voltage level.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method of data transfer includes mapping data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals, encoding the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, and obtaining a signal to be transmitted via a terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals. The method further includes driving the terminal by turning on a first transistor when the signal is in a first phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a first voltage level when the first transistor is turned on, driving the terminal by turning on a second transistor when the signal is in a second phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a second voltage level when the second transistor is turned on, and driving the terminal by turning on a third transistor when the signal is in a third phase. The terminal is driven towards a third voltage level when the third transistor is turned on. The third voltage level is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level and the second voltage level. Moreover, the third transistor is turned on based on a voltage supplied from a voltage regulator that also regulates a voltage supplied to the first transistor.

In an aspect, driving the terminal when the signal is in the first phase includes turning off the second transistor and the third transistor. In another aspect, driving the terminal when the signal is in the second phase includes turning off the first transistor and the third transistor. In a further aspect, driving the terminal when the signal is in the third phase includes turning off the first transistor and the second transistor.

In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for data transfer includes means for mapping data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals, means for encoding the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, means for obtaining a signal to be transmitted via a terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals, means for driving the terminal by turning on a first transistor when the signal is in a first phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a first voltage level when the first transistor is turned on, means for driving the terminal by turning on a second transistor when the signal is in a second phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a second voltage level when the second transistor is turned on, and means for driving the terminal by turning on a third transistor when the signal is in a third phase. The terminal is driven towards a third voltage level when the third transistor is turned on. The third voltage level is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level and the second voltage level. Moreover, the third transistor is turned on based on a voltage supplied from a voltage regulator that also regulates a voltage supplied to the first transistor.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a transmitter includes a plurality of terminals driven by line drivers, and a processing circuit configured to map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via the plurality of terminals, encode the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, and obtain a signal to be transmitted via a terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals. The transmitter further includes a line driver configured to drive the terminal by turning on a first transistor when the signal is in a first phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a first voltage level when the first transistor is turned on, drive the terminal by turning on a second transistor when the signal is in a second phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a second voltage level when the second transistor is turned on, and drive the terminal by turning on a third transistor when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a third voltage level when the third transistor is turned on, and wherein the third transistor is turned on based on a voltage supplied from a voltage regulator that also regulates a voltage supplied to the first transistor.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a processor-readable storage medium having one or more instructions which, when executed by at least one processing circuit, cause the at least one processing circuit to map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via the plurality of terminals, encode the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, obtain a signal to be transmitted via a terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals, drive the terminal by turning on a first transistor when the signal is in a first phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a first voltage level when the first transistor is turned on, drive the terminal by turning on a second transistor when the signal is in a second phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a second voltage level when the second transistor is turned on, and drive the terminal by turning on a third transistor when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a third voltage level when the third transistor is turned on, and wherein the third transistor is turned on based on a voltage supplied from a voltage regulator that also regulates a voltage supplied to the first transistor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an apparatus that employs an N-phase polarity encoded data link between devices within the apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system architecture for an apparatus employing an N-phase polarity encoded data link.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an N-phase polarity data encoder.

FIG. 4 illustrates signaling in an N-phase polarity encoded interface.

FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating state transitions in the example of a S-wire, 3-phase communication link.

FIG. 6 illustrates a 3-phase polarity data decoder.

FIG. 7 illustrates a driver for M-wire, N-phase polarity data encoding.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing a model of an encoder that transmits symbols using 6 wires with 2 pairs of wires driven for each state.

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing showing a model of a 3-phase polarity encoding circuit.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a line interface used to drive a signal wire in a 3-phase system.

FIG. 11 illustrates a first example of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a second example of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system.

FIG. 13 illustrates a third example of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth example of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system.

FIG. 15 illustrates a first example of an LDO regulator in operation with a pull-up transistor and a pull-middle transistor.

FIG. 16 illustrates a second example of an LDO regulator in operation with a pull-up transistor and a pull-middle transistor.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a transmitter of an N-phase polarity encoded signal.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a data transfer method.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating another data transfer method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system” and the like are intended to include a computer-related entity, such as, but not limited to hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computing device and/or distributed between two or more computing devices. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets, such as data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal.

Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Exemplary Description of Multi-Phase Encoding and Decoding

Certain disclosed examples relate to systems and apparatus that employ multi-phase data encoding and decoding methods involving a plurality of conductors (i.e., M conductors or wires). The M conductors typically include three or more conductors, and each conductor may be referred to as a wire, although the M conductors may include conductive traces on a circuit board or within a conductive layer of a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) device. The M conductors may be divided into a plurality of transmission groups, each group encoding a portion of a block of data to be transmitted. An N-phase encoding scheme is defined in which bits of data are encoded in phase transitions and polarity changes on the M conductors. In one example, an N-phase encoding scheme for a 3-wire system may include three phase states and two polarities, providing 6 states and 5 possible transitions from each state. Deterministic voltage and/or current changes may be detected and decoded to extract data from the M conductors. Decoding does not rely on independent conductors, or pairs of conductors and timing information can be derived directly from phase and/or polarity transitions in the M conductors. N-Phase polarity data transfer can be applied to any signaling interface, such as electrical, optical and radio frequency (RF) interfaces, for example.

Certain aspects of the invention may be applicable to communications links deployed between electronic components, which may include subcomponents of devices such as telephones, mobile computing devices, appliances, automobile electronics, avionics systems, etc. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, an apparatus 100 employing M-wire, N-phase encoding may include a processing circuit 102 that is configured to control operation of the apparatus 100. The processing circuit 102 may access and execute software applications and control logic circuits and other devices within the apparatus 100. In one example, the apparatus 100 may include a communication device that communicates through an RF communications transceiver 106 with a radio access network (RAN), a core access network, the Internet and/or another network. The communications transceiver 106 may be operably coupled to a processing circuit 102. The processing circuit 102 may include one or more IC devices, such as an application specific IC (ASIC) 108. The ASIC 108 may include one or more processing devices, logic circuits, and so on. The processing circuit 102 may include and/or be coupled to processor readable storage 112 that may maintain instructions and data that may be executed by the processing circuit 102. The processing circuit 102 may be controlled by one or more of an operating system and an application programming interface (API) 110 layer that supports and enables execution of software modules residing in the storage 112 of the device. The storage 112 may include read-only memory (ROM) or random-access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory device, or any memory device that can be used in processing systems and computing platforms. The processing circuit 102 may include and/or access a local database 114 that can maintain operational parameters and other information used to configure and operate the apparatus 100. The local database 114 may be implemented using one or more of a database module or server, flash memory, magnetic media, EEPROM, optical media, tape, soft or hard disk, or the like. The processing circuit may also be operably coupled to external devices such as an antenna 122, a display 124, operator controls, such as a button 128 and a keypad 126, among other components.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic illustrating certain aspects of an apparatus 200 such as a mobile device, a mobile telephone, a mobile computing system, a notebook computer, a tablet computing device, a media player, a gaming device, or the like. The apparatus 200 may include a plurality of IC devices 202 and 230 that exchange data and control information through a communications link 220. The communications link 220 may be used to connect the IC devices 202 and 230, which may be located in close proximity to one another or physically located in different parts of the apparatus 200. In one example, the communications link 220 may be provided on a chip carrier, substrate or circuit board that carries the IC devices 202 and 230. In another example, a first IC device 202 may be located in a keypad section of a flip-phone while a second IC device 230 may be located in a display section of the flip-phone. A portion of the communications link 220 may include a cable or an optical connection.

The communications link 220 may include multiple channels 222, 224 and 226. One or more channels 226 may be bidirectional, and may operate in half-duplex mode and/or full-duplex mode. One or more channels 222, 224 may be unidirectional. The communications link 220 may be asymmetrical, providing higher bandwidth in one direction. In one example described herein, a first communications channel 222 may be referred to as a forward link 222 while a second communications channel 224 may be referred to as a reverse link 224. The first IC device 202 may be designated as a host, master and/or transmitter, while the second IC device 230 may be designated as a client, slave and/or receiver, even if both IC devices 202 and 230 are configured to transmit and receive on the communications link 220. In one example, the forward link 222 may operate at a higher data rate when communicating data from a first IC device 202 to a second IC device 230, while the reverse link 224 may operate at a lower data rate when communicating data from the second IC device 230 to the first IC device 202.

The IC devices 202 and 230 may each include a processor or other processing and/or computing circuit or device 206, 236. In one example, the first IC device 202 may perform core functions of the apparatus 200, including maintaining communications through a transceiver 204 and an antenna 214, while the second IC device 230 may support a user interface that manages or operates a display controller 232, and may control operations of a camera or video input device using a camera controller 234. Other features supported by one or more of the IC devices 202 and 230 may include a keyboard, a voice-recognition component, and other input or output devices. The display controller 232 may include circuits and software drivers that support a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a touch-screen display, an indicator, and so on. The storage media 208 and 238 may include transitory and/or non-transitory storage devices adapted to maintain instructions and data used by the respective processing circuits 206 and 236, and/or other components of the IC devices 202 and 230. Communication between each processing circuit 206, 236 and its corresponding storage media 208 and 238 and other modules and circuits may be facilitated by one or more buses 212 and 242, respectively.

The reverse link 224 may be operated in the same manner as the forward link 222. The forward link 222 and the reverse link 224 may be capable of transmitting at comparable speeds or at different speeds, where speed may be expressed as a data transfer rate and/or a clocking rate. The forward and reverse data rates may be substantially the same or may differ by orders of magnitude, depending on the application. In some applications a single bidirectional link 226 may support communications between the first IC device 202 and the second IC device 230. The forward link 222 and/or the reverse link 224 may be configurable to operate in a bidirectional mode when, for example, the forward and reverse links 222 and 224 share the same physical connections and operate in a half-duplex manner.

In certain examples, the reverse link 224 derives a clocking signal from the forward link 222 for synchronization purposes, for control purposes, to facilitate power management and/or for simplicity of design. The clocking signal may have a frequency that is obtained by dividing the frequency of a symbol clock used to transmit signals on the forward link 222. The symbol clock may be superimposed or otherwise encoded in symbols transmitted on the forward link 222. The use of a clocking signal that is a derivative of the symbol clock allows fast synchronization of transmitters and receivers (transceivers 210, 240) and enables fast start and stop of data signals without the need for framing to enable training and synchronization.

In certain examples, a single bidirectional link 226 may support communications between the first processing device 202 and the second processing device 230. In some instances, the first processing device 202 and the second processing device 230 provide encoding and decoding of data, address and control signals transmitted between a processing device and memory devices such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

In one example, one or more of buses 212 and/or 242 may provide access to double data rate (DDR) SDRAM using an M-wire, N-phase encoding technique. N-phase polarity encoding devices 210 and/or 240 can encode multiple bits per transition, and multiple sets of wires can be used to transmit and receive data from the SDRAM, control signals, address signals, and so on.

In another example, the communications link 220 includes a high-speed digital interface, such as a mobile display digital interface (MDDI), and one or more data links 222, 224 and 226 may use N-phase polarity encoding. Transceivers 210 and 240 may encode and decode data transmitted on the communications link 220. The use of N-phase polarity encoding provides for high speed data transfer and may consume half or less of the power of other interfaces because fewer drivers are active in N-phase polarity encoded data links 220. N-phase polarity encoding devices 210 and/or 240 can encode multiple bits per transition on the interface, which may include a bus. In one example, a combination of 3-phase and polarity encoding may be used to support a wide video graphics array (WVGA) 80 frames per second LCD driver IC without a frame buffer, delivering pixel data at 810 Mbps for display refresh.

According to certain aspects disclosed herein, characteristics of an M-wire, N-phase polarity communications link may be dynamically modified to accommodate changing operational requirements and circumstances. For example, the number of wires used to transmit an N-phase signal may be increased to obtain a higher available bandwidth and/or the number of wires used to transmit an N-phase signal may be decreased to reduce power consumption by the IC devices 202 and 230. The number of wires used to transmit an N-phase signal in one direction may be adapted independently of the number of wires used to transmit an N-phase signal in the other direction. Receiving circuits and transmitting circuits in the physical layer drivers 210 and 240 may be configured using control information transmitted when the communications link 220 is activated after hibernation or power-on. The control information may be transmitted according to a predefined protocol, whereby a minimum number of wires are activated to carry a control message specifying the configuration of the communications link 220, for example. The control message may alternatively or additionally be transmitted with a shutdown command, a wakeup command, and/or in a preamble preceding each transmission. In some examples, the configuration of the communications link 220 may be determined during a training and/or synchronization sequence, whereby the receiving physical layer drivers 210 or 240 monitors the available wires or other conductors for transitions corresponding to an N-phase signal, in order to determine which wires/conductors are active.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating an example of an M-wire, N-phase polarity encoding transmitter configured for M=3 and N=3. The example of 3-wire, 3-phase encoding is selected solely for the purpose of simplifying descriptions of certain aspects of this disclosure. The principles and techniques disclosed for 3-wire, 3-phase encoders can be applied in other configurations of M-wire, N-phase polarity encoders.

When N-phase polarity encoding is used, conductors such as signal wires 310 a, 310 b and 310 c on an M-wire bus may be undriven, driven positive, or driven negative. An undriven signal wire 310 a, 310 b or 310 c may be in a high-impedance state. An undriven signal wire 310 a, 310 b or 310 c may be driven to a voltage level that lies substantially halfway between the positive and negative voltage levels provided on driven signal wires. An undriven signal wire 310 a, 310 b or 310 c may have no current flowing through it. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, each signal wire 310 a, 310 b and 310 c may be in one of three states (denoted as +1, −1, and 0) using drivers 308. In one example, drivers 308 may include unit-level current-mode drivers. In another example, drivers 308 may drive opposite polarity voltages on two signals 310 a and 310 b while the third signal 310 c is at high impedance and/or pulled to ground. For each transmitted symbol interval, at least one signal is in the undriven (0) state, while the number of signals driven positive (+1 state) is equal to the number of signals driven negative (−1 state), such that the sum of current flowing to the receiver is always zero. For each pair of consecutive symbol transmission intervals, at least one signal wire 310 a, 310 b or 310 c has a different state in the two symbol transmission intervals.

In the example depicted in FIG. 3, 16-bit data 318 is input to a mapper 302, which maps the input data 318 to 7 symbols 312 for transmitting sequentially over the signal wires 310 a, 310 b and 310 c. The 7 symbols 312 may be serialized, using parallel-to-serial converters 304 for example. An M-wire, N-phase encoder 306 receives 7 symbols 312 produced by the mapper one symbol at a time and computes the state of each signal wire 310 a, 310 b and 310 c for each symbol interval. The encoder 306 selects the states of the signal wires 310 a, 310 b and 310 c based on the input symbol and the previous states of signal wires 310 a, 310 b and 310 c.

The use of M-wire, N-phase encoding permits a number of bits to be encoded in a plurality of symbols where the bits per symbol is not an integer. In the simple example of a 3-wire system, there are 3 available combinations of 2 wires that may be driven simultaneously, and 2 possible combinations of polarity on the pair of simultaneously driven wires, yielding 6 possible states. Since each transition occurs from a current state, 5 of the 6 states are available at every transition. The state of at least one wire is required to change at each transition. With 5 states, log₂(5)≅2.32 bits may be encoded per symbol. Accordingly, a mapper may accept a 16-bit word and convert it to 7 symbols because 7 symbols carrying 2.32 bits per symbol can encode 16.24 bits. In other words, a combination of seven symbols that encodes five states has 5⁷ (78,125) permutations. Accordingly, the 7 symbols may be used to encode the 2¹⁶ (65,536) permutations of 16 bits.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of signaling 400 employing a three-phase modulation data-encoding scheme based on the circular state transition diagram 450. According to the data-encoding scheme, a three-phase signal may rotate in two directions and may be transmitted on three conductors 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c. Each of the three signals is independently driven on the conductors 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c. Each of the three signals includes the three-phase signal, with each signal on each conductor 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c being 120 degrees out of phase relative to the signals on the other two conductors 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c. At any point in time, each of the three conductors 310 a, 310 b, 310 c is in a different one of the states {+1, 0, −1}. At any point in time, each of the three conductors 310 a, 310 b, 310 c in a 3-wire system is in a different state than the other two wires. When more than three conductors or wires are used, two or more pairs of wires may be in the same state. The illustrated encoding scheme also encodes information in the polarity of the two conductors 310 a, 310 b, and/or 310 c that are actively driven to the +1 and −1 states. Polarity is indicated at 408 for the sequence of states depicted.

At any phase state in the illustrated three-wire example, exactly two of the conductors 310 a, 310 b, 310 c carry a signal which is effectively a differential signal for that phase state, while the third conductor 310 a, 310 b or 310 c is undriven. The phase state for each conductor 310 a, 310 b, 310 c may be determined by voltage difference between the conductor 310 a, 310 b or 310 c and at least one other conductor 310 a, 310 b and/or 310 c, or by the direction of current flow, or lack of current flow, in the conductor 310 a, 310 b or 310 c. As shown in the state transition diagram 450, three phase states (S₁, S₂ and S₃) are defined. A signal may flow clockwise from phase state S₁ to phase state S₂, phase state S₂ to phase state S₃, and/or phase state S₃ to phase state S₁ and the signal may flow counter-clockwise from phase state S₁ to phase state S₃, phase state S₃ to phase state S₂, and/or phase state S₂ to phase state S₁. For other values of N, transitions between the N states may optionally be defined according to a corresponding state diagram to obtain circular rotation between state transitions.

In the example of a three-wire, three-phase communications link, clockwise rotations (S₁ to S₂), (S₂ to S₃), and/or (S₃ to S₁) at a state transition may be used to encode a logic 1, while counter-clockwise rotations (S₁ to S₃), (S₃ to S₂), and/or (S₂ to S₁) at the state transition may be used to encode a logic 0. Accordingly a bit may be encoded at each transition by controlling whether the signal is “rotating” clockwise or counter-clockwise. For example, a logic 1 may be encoded when the three wires 310 a, 310 b, 310 c transition from phase state S₁ to phase state S₂ and a logic 0 may be encoded when the three wires 310 a, 310 b, 310 c transition from phase state S₁ to phase state S₃. In the simple three-wire example depicted, direction of rotation may be easily determined based on which of the three wires 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c is undriven before and after the transition.

Information may also be encoded in the polarity of the driven conductors 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c or direction of current flow between two conductors 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c. Signals 402, 404, and 406 illustrate voltage levels applied to conductors 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c, respectively at each phase state in a three-wire, three-phase link. At any time, a first conductor 310 a, 310 b, 310 c is coupled to a positive voltage (+V, for example), a second conductor 310 a, 310 b, 310 c is coupled to a negative voltage (−V, for example), while the third conductor 310 a, 310 b, 310 c may be open-circuited or otherwise undriven. As such, one polarity encoding state may be determined by the current flow between the first and second conductors 310 a, 310 b, 310 c or the voltage polarities of the first and second conductors 310 a, 310 b, 310 c. In some embodiments, two bits of data may be encoded at each phase transition. A decoder may determine the direction of signal phase rotation to obtain the first bit, and the second bit may be determined based on the polarity difference between two of the signals 402, 404 and 406. The decoder having determined direction of rotation can determine the current phase state and the polarity of the voltage applied between the two active conductors 310 a, 310 b and/or 310 c, or the direction of current flow through the two active conductors 310 a, 310 b and/or 310 c.

In the example of the three-wire, three-phase link described herein, one bit of data may be encoded in the rotation, or phase change in the three-wire, three-phase link, and an additional bit may be encoded in the polarity of two driven wires. Certain embodiments encode more than two bits in each transition of a three-wire, three-phase encoding system by allowing transition to any of the possible states from a current state. Given three rotational phases and two polarities for each phase, 6 states are defined, such that 5 states are available from any current state. Accordingly, there may be log₂(5)≅2.32 bits per symbol (transition) and the mapper may accept a 16-bit word and convert it to 7 symbols.

FIG. 5 is a state diagram 500 illustrating 6 states and 30 possible state transitions in the example of a 3-wire, 3-phase communication link. FIG. 5 expands on the state transition diagram 450 in FIG. 4 by depicting all possible states 502, 504, 506, 512, 514 and 516. These states 502, 504, 506, 512, 514 and 516 include positive polarity and negative polarity versions of the phase states S₁, S₂ and S₃ illustrated in the phase transition diagram 450 of FIG. 4. For clarity, the set of phase/polarity states are labeled alphabetically and includes {+x, −x, +y, −y, +z, −z} where, for example, +x and −x represent states with the same phase state but different polarity. As shown in the model state element 520, each state 502, 504, 506, 512, 514 and 516 in the state diagram 500 includes a field of wire states 522 showing the voltage state of signals 402, 404 and 406, which are transmitted on wires 310 a, 310 b and 310 c, respectively. For example, in state 502 (+x) signal 402=+1, signal 404=−1 and signal 406=0. Also shown in FIG. 5 are the 5 possible transition paths between the states 502, 504, 506, 512, 514 and 516, including by way of example, the transition path 524 between −x state 512 and −y state 514.

FIG. 6 is a block schematic drawing 600 illustrating an example showing certain physical layer (PHY) components in a receiver adapted to connect to a 3-phase interface. Comparators 602 and decoder 604 are configured to provide a digital representation of the state of each of three transmission lines 612 a, 612 b and 612 c, as well as the change in the state of the three transmission lines compared to the state transmitted in the previous symbol period. As can be seen from the illustrated example, the voltage of each conductor 612 a, 612 b or 612 c may be compared to the voltages of the other two conductors 612 a, 612 b and/or 612 c to determine the state of each conductor 612 a, 612 b or 612 c, such that the occurrence of a transition may be detected and decoded by the decoder 604 based on the outputs of the comparators 602. Seven consecutive states are assembled by serial to parallel converters 606, which produce sets of 7 symbols to be processed by demapper 608 to obtain 16 bits of data that may be buffered in the first-in-first-out module (FIFO) 610.

TABLE 1 Wire amplitude Differential Rx output Receiver Digital Output State A B C A-B B-C C-A Rx_AB Rx_BC Rx_CA +x +V 0 +V/2 +V −V/2 −V/2 1 0 0 −x 0 +V +V/2 −V +V/2 +V/2 0 1 1 +y +V/2 +V 0 −V/2 +V −V/2 0 1 0 −y +V/2 0 +V +V/2 −V +V/2 1 0 1 +z 0 +V/2 +V −V/2 −V/2 +V 0 0 1 −z +V +V/2 0 +V/2 +V/2 −V 1 1 0

With reference also to FIG. 5, Table 1 illustrates the outputs of the differential receivers 602 for each wire state 522 in the 3-wire 3-phase polarity encoding system. In the example, the wire states 522 may be encoded in the voltage amplitude on the three wires 612 a, 612 b and 612 c such that a +1 state of a wire is represented as a voltage +V volts, a −1 state of the wire is represented as 0 volts and the undriven state is represented or approximated as +V/2 volts. A receiver/decoder may be configured to output a code at the digital output of the receiver for each symbol decoded.

FIG. 7 includes a block schematic diagram 700 illustrating certain aspects of an M-wire, N-phase encoding system and bit encoding capabilities for various values of M and configurations of the M-wire, N-phase encoding system. Data received at a transmitter may be mapped to a number of symbols to be sequentially transmitted over an M-wire bus 708. The mapping scheme may determine a configuration for the M-wire bus 708. In one example, a plurality of connecters in the M-wire bus 708 may carry the same N-phase signal, shifted by a predetermined phase angle. In another example, the M-wire bus 708 may be subdivided into groups of G wires, where each group carries different N-phase signals. In the latter example, a 9-wire bus 708 may be configured as three different 3-wire bus segments. According to certain aspects, the mapper 704 may be adapted to dynamically define the encoding scheme, to reconfigure the M-wire bus 708 and to control the operation of the M-wire, N-phase driver 706. In one example, the mapper 704 may be adapted to reconfigure the M-wire, N-phase encoding system to provide a desired bandwidth and/or to limit power consumption. Thus, the mapper 704 may selectively enable and disable portions of the M-wire bus 708 when demand on data bandwidth is low, and the mapper 704 may enable additional portions of the M-wire bus 708 to obtain increased bandwidth.

At the receiver, N-phase symbols are received and accumulated from the M-wire bus 708, typically over a plurality of transmission clock cycles. The accumulated symbols may then be decoded by a symbol-to-bits mapper 712. Transmit clocks may be derived from one or more portions of the M-wire bus 708 and configuration information may be communicated using a designated group of conductors that provide a primary channel. In the example of the 9-wire bus 708 configured as three different 3-wire bus segments, one bus segment may be identified as the primary channel with a default encoding scheme to be used during power-up and synchronization. Commands communicated over the bus may cause the transmitter and receiver to enter a hibernate stage on one or more of the 3-wire segments.

N-Phase data transfer may use more than three signal wires or other conductors provided in a communication medium. The use of additional signal wires that can be driven simultaneously provides more combinations of states and polarities and allows more bits of data to be encoded at each transition between states. This can significantly improve throughput of the system, while limiting power consumption as opposed to communications links that use multiple differential pairs to transmit data bits, while providing increased bandwidth. Power consumption can be further limited by dynamically configuring the number of active conductors for each transmission.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing a model of an encoder that transmits symbols using 6 wires with 2 pairs of wires driven for each state. The 6 wires may be labeled A through F, such that in one state, wires A and F are driven positive, wires B and E negative, and C and D are undriven (or carry no current). In the example the N-phase signal may have 3 phases. Each phase state can have either a positive or negative polarity. In the illustrative model, each wire may be connected to a positive current source, a negative current source, or no current source. Current flows through a wire having an impedance Z₀ that is typically the characteristic impedance of the transmission wire. As shown in FIG. 8, the positive currents are canceled by two negative currents.

For six wires, there may be:

${C\left( {6,4} \right)} = {\frac{6!}{{\left( {6 - 4} \right)!} \cdot {4!}} = 15}$

possible combinations of actively driven wires, with:

${C\left( {4,2} \right)} = {\frac{4!}{{\left( {4 - 2} \right)!} \cdot {2!}} = 6}$

different combinations of polarity for each phase state.

The 15 different combinations of actively driven wires may include:

A B C D A B C E A B C F A B D E A B D F A B E F A C D E A C D F A C E F A D E F B C D E B C D F B C E F B D E F C D E F

Of the 4 wires driven, the possible combinations of two wires driven positive (and the other two must be negative). The combinations of polarity may include:

+ + − − + − − + + − + − − + − + − + + − − − + +

Accordingly, the total number of different states may be calculated as 15×6=90. To guarantee a transition between successive symbols, 89 states are available for transition from any current state, and the number of bits that may be encoded in each symbol may be calculated as: log 2(89)≅6.47 bits per symbol. In this example, a 32-bit word can be encoded by the mapper into 5 symbols, given that 5×6.47=32.35 bits.

The general equation for the number of combinations of wires that can be driven for a bus of any size, as a function of the number of wires in the bus and number of wires simultaneously driven:

${C\left( {N_{wires},N_{driven}} \right)} = \frac{N_{wires}!}{{\left( {N_{wires} - N_{driven}} \right)!} \cdot {N_{driven}!}}$

The equation for the number of combinations of polarity for the wires being driven is:

${C\left( {N_{driven},\frac{N_{driven}}{2}} \right)} = \frac{N_{driven}!}{\left( {\left( \frac{N_{driven}}{2} \right)!} \right)^{2}}$

The number of bits per symbol is:

$\log_{2}\left( {{{C\left( {N_{wires},N_{driven}} \right)} \cdot {C\left( {N_{driven},\frac{N_{driven}}{2}} \right)}} - 1} \right)$

-   -   FIG. 7 includes a chart 720 that shows bit encoding for various         values of M (i.e. number of wires) and configurations of wires         and wire pairs.

In some embodiments, an encoder may be configured to increase the number of wires used for N-phase encoding when increased bandwidth is required. Bandwidth may change when, for example, a video clip is to be displayed to a user of apparatus 100, or when a burst of data is to be transferred between processing circuits and/or memory devices. Changes in bandwidth may also correspond or relate to power control measures as well as specific application needs. For example, the apparatus of FIG. 2 may dynamically reconfigure the links 220 to initiate power-saving measures that may conserve battery lifetime when demand for bandwidth is curtailed.

When increased or decreased bandwidth is required or requested, an encoder may increase or decrease the number of active conductors to be used for N-phase encoding. Such adaptive encoding can enable the power-efficient provision of variable bandwidth. In one example, additional wires can be added in atomic units. An atomic unit may include three wires that employ 3-phase, polarity encoding (described herein). In another example, additional encoding states may be defined by adding pairs of wires to an M-wire, N-phase bus. In another example, additional encoding states may be obtained by adding a single wire, whereby two wires are undriven for each state. Addition of an undriven wire may increase power consumption less than adding a pair of driven wires.

FIG. 9 illustrates a model of a 3-wire, 3-phase polarity encoding circuit. Current is passed through two of three signal wires through corresponding terminals 902, 904 and/or 906 that may be connected to wires having a characteristic impedance (Z₀). In an aspect, no current is passed through the third signal wire. However, in other aspects, a current may be passed through the third signal wire. As discussed herein, each phase state can be defined as having a positive polarity or a negative polarity, although the example in FIG. 9 depicts only the positive polarity condition of each phase state to simplify description. To obtain a “+x” state 910, current is passed 924, 926, 928 from terminal 902 to terminal 904. To obtain a “+y” state 930, current is passed 932, 934, 936 from terminal 904 to terminal 906. To obtain a “+z” state 940, current is passed 942, 944, 946 from terminal 906 to terminal 902. The undriven signal may be pulled towards a neutral voltage by termination resistors at the receiver.

According to certain aspects disclosed herein, an M-wire, N-phase physical layer (N-phase PHY) interface is provided to support a multiphase signal. Referring again to FIG. 4, in one example a 3-phase signal 402, 404, 406 provided on a wire 310 a, 310 b, 310 c is defined by two active signals of opposite polarity and one undriven signal in which no current is transmitted and/or the wire 310 a, 310 b, 310 c is open circuited. A 3-phase PHY may encode and decode the 3-phase signal by causing the undriven signal to transition to a neutral voltage (e.g. 0 volts) at both ends of the transmission line circuit to prevent current flow.

Exemplary Operating Environment for Driving a Signal Wire in a Three-Phase Communication Link

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a line interface 1000 that may be used to drive a signal wire in a 3-phase PHY. In one example, a transistor 1002 receives a pull-up signal and a transistor 1004 receives a pull-down signal. When the output terminal 1006 is to be driven to an active (+1 or −1) signaling state, one of the transistors 1002 or 1004 is turned on and the output terminal 1006 is actively driven to one signaling state or the other. When the output terminal 1006 is to be undriven and in an inactive (0) signaling state, neither the pull-up nor pull-down control is active and both transistors 1002 and 1004 are turned off. The output terminal 1006 typically settles at the common mode level of driven lines when both transistors 1002 and 1004 are turned off to obtain an inactive (0) signaling state. However, the settling time may result in skew times that are longer for undriven states than for states that are actively driven by a transistor 1002 or 1004. The settling time and corresponding skew time may be improved by terminating the transmission line or the terminal 1006. In one example, a pair of impedances, which may be resistive, or other loads may be provided at the transmitter or at the receiver to cause a signal wire or terminal 1006 to more rapidly acquire a neutral voltage level and to maintain the signal wire or terminal 1006 at the neutral voltage.

A high speed serial interface, such as a C-PHY interface (C-PHY), provides high throughput over bandwidth limited channels for connecting to peripherals, including displays and cameras. C-PHY may use three phase encoding and transmits symbols over three-wire lanes (or trios) to yield an effective transfer of 2.28 bits per symbol. Within a three-wire trio, two of the three wires may be driven to opposite levels (e.g., high level and low level) while a third wire may be terminated to a middle level (common mode level), and the voltages at which the wires are driven change at every symbol.

Traditional C-PHY driver topologies, either do not drive the middle level voltage, or incur an area and power penalty in driving the middle level voltage using additional circuit segments that continue to consume power even after the middle level voltage is achieved. In an aspect, a C-PHY 3-phase transmitter may require a driver to be able to drive a high, low, or middle (common mode) level voltage onto the transmit channel. If the driver is not able to drive the middle (common mode) level voltage, data rates achievable by the driver may be severely limited. Moreover, the driver may be made unusable in lower power applications that do not use receiver-side termination. However, driving the middle level voltage may introduce an additional burden on the driver's design and results in increasing the power and area consumption of the driver. For lower power and performance applications, the additional power is undesirable. Accordingly, to help alleviate this burden, the present disclosure provides for new C-PHY driver topologies that can be used with or without receiver-side trio termination. Utilizing the new C-PHY driver topologies with receiver-side termination enables higher data rate applications while lowering power compared to traditional approaches. Utilizing the new C-PHY driver topologies without receiver-side termination may limit data rates but provides additional power savings.

FIG. 11 illustrates a first example 1100 of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system. FIG. 12 illustrates a second example 1200 of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system. In the first example 1100 of FIG. 11, a voltage mode driver (transmitter) 1120 utilizes receiver (RX)-termination, wherein impedances may be provided at a receiver 1140 to cause transmission lines 1130 or output terminals 1122, 1124, and 1126 to more rapidly acquire a middle level voltage and to maintain the transmission lines 1130 or the output terminals 1122, 1124, and 1126 at the middle level voltage. As shown in FIG. 11, the transmission lines 1130 may have characteristic impedances of 50 Ohms, and the receiver 1140 may terminate the transmission lines 1130 using 50-Ohm impedances. However, termination at the receiver 1140 is not limited to the use of 50-Ohm impedances as various other impedance values may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. The second example 1200 of FIG. 12 may have an architecture that is almost identical to the architecture of the first example 1100 except that the voltage mode driver (transmitter) 1120 does not utilize RX-termination (referred to as “RX-untermination” in FIG. 12). Hence, in the second example 1200, impedances are not provided at a receiver side to cause the transmission lines 1130 (or the output terminals 1122, 1124, and 1126) to more rapidly acquire a middle level voltage and/or maintain the transmission lines 1130 (or the output terminals 1122, 1124, and 1126) at the middle level voltage.

For both the first example 1100 (RX-termination case) and the second example 1200 (RX-untermination case), the line interfaces that drive the three signal wires (i.e., output terminals 1122, 1124, and 1126) operate in a similar way. Therefore, the description below regarding the driving of the output terminals by the line interfaces apply to both the first example 1100 and the second example 1200.

In an aspect, the voltage mode driver 1120 uses a pull-up segment (or driver) and a pull-down segment (or driver) to drive an associated output terminal toward a high level voltage and a low level voltage. The voltage mode driver 1120 further uses additional segments (or drivers) dedicated to driving associated output terminals toward a middle level voltage. The additional segments pull voltages up and/or down between a first voltage signal used to drive a first output terminal other than an associated output terminal toward a high/low level voltage and a second voltage signal used to drive a second output terminal other than the associated output terminal toward a high/low level voltage.

The voltage mode driver 1120 may include a segment (or driver) A1 for driving a first output terminal 1122 toward a high level voltage and a low level voltage. The segment A1 includes a pull-up transistor 1102 configured to receive a first pull-up signal (Pu_a) and a pull-down transistor 1104 configured to receive a first pull-down signal (Pd_a). When the first output terminal 1122 is to be driven toward the high level voltage (e.g., +1 signaling state), the segment A1 is configured to output a voltage signal corresponding to the high level voltage by turning on the pull-up transistor 1102 and turning off the pull-down transistor 1104, thus causing the first output terminal 1122 to be actively driven toward the high level voltage. When the first output terminal 1122 is to be driven toward the low level voltage (e.g., −1 signaling state), the segment A1 is configured to output a voltage signal corresponding to the low level voltage by turning on the pull-down transistor 1104 and turning off the pull-up transistor 1102, thus causing the first output terminal 1122 to be actively driven toward the low level voltage. When the first output terminal 1122 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), both the pull-up transistor 1102 and the pull-down transistor 1104 are turned off.

The voltage mode driver 1120 may further include a segment (or driver) B1 for driving a second output terminal 1124 toward a high level voltage and a low level voltage. The segment B1 includes a pull-up transistor 1106 configured to receive a second pull-up signal (Pu_b) and a pull-down transistor 1108 configured to receive a second pull-down signal (Pd_b). When the second output terminal 1124 is to be driven toward the high level voltage (e.g., +1 signaling state), the segment B1 is configured to output a voltage signal corresponding to the high level voltage by turning on the pull-up transistor 1106 and turning off the pull-down transistor 1108, thus causing the second output terminal 1124 to be actively driven toward the high level voltage. When the second output terminal 1124 is to be driven toward the low level voltage (e.g., −1 signaling state), the segment B1 is configured to output a voltage signal corresponding to the low level voltage by turning on the pull-down transistor 1108 and turning off the pull-up transistor 1106, thus causing the second output terminal 1124 to be actively driven toward the low level voltage. When the second output terminal 1124 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), both the pull-up transistor 1106 and the pull-down transistor 1108 are turned off.

The voltage mode driver 1120 may also include a segment (or driver) C1 for driving a third output terminal 1126 toward a high level voltage and a low level voltage. The segment C1 includes a pull-up transistor 1110 configured to receive a third pull-up signal (Pu_c) and a pull-down transistor 1112 configured to receive a third pull-down signal (Pd_c). When the third output terminal 1126 is to be driven toward the high level voltage (e.g., +1 signaling state), the segment C1 is configured to output a voltage signal corresponding to the high level voltage by turning on the pull-up transistor 1110 and turning off the pull-down transistor 1112, thus causing the third output terminal 1126 to be actively driven toward the high level voltage. When the third output terminal 1126 is to be driven toward the low level voltage (e.g., −1 signaling state), the segment C1 is configured to output a voltage signal corresponding to the low level voltage by turning on the pull-down transistor 1112 and turning off the pull-up transistor 1110, thus causing the third output terminal 1126 to be actively driven toward the low level voltage. When the third output terminal 1126 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), both the pull-up transistor 1110 and the pull-down transistor 1112 are turned off.

The voltage mode driver 1120 may further include additional segments (or drivers) dedicated to driving respective output terminals toward the middle level voltage. For example, segment (or driver) A2 drives the first output terminal 1122 toward the middle level voltage, segment (or driver) B2 drives the second output terminal 1124 toward the middle level voltage, and segment (or driver) C2 drives the third output terminal 1126 toward the middle level voltage.

As an example, an operation for driving an output terminal toward the middle level voltage will first be described with respect to the segment B2 configured to drive the second output terminal 1124 toward the middle level voltage. Notably, the operation for driving the first output terminal 1122 using the segment A2 and the operation for driving the third output terminal 1126 using the segment C2 is similar to the described operation for driving the second output terminal 1124 using the segment B2.

The segment B2 is configured to receive a pull-middle signal (Pm_b). The segment B2 includes a transistor 1114 configured to output a voltage signal based on a voltage signal received from the segment A1 and a transistor 1116 configured to output a voltage signal based on a voltage signal received from the segment C1. When the second output terminal 1124 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), the transistor 1114 receives from the segment A1 the voltage signal intended to drive the first output terminal 1122 toward the high voltage level or low voltage level. Concurrently, the transistor 1116 receives from the segment C1 the voltage signal intended to drive the third output terminal 1126 toward the high voltage level or low voltage level. Upon receiving the voltage signals from the segment A1 and the segment C1, the transistor 1114 and the transistor 1116 are respectively activated (turned on) and together drive the second output terminal 1124 toward a voltage level within a voltage range bounded by the high voltage level (related to the first output terminal 1122 or the third output terminal 1126) and the low voltage level (related to the first output terminal 1122 or the third output terminal 1126). In an aspect, the segment B2 is turned off when the segment B1 drives the second output terminal 1124 toward a high voltage level or a low voltage level.

The segment A2 is configured to receive a pull-middle signal (Pm_a). The segment A2 includes a transistor 1154 configured to output a voltage signal based on a voltage signal received from the segment B1 and a transistor 1156 configured to output a voltage signal based on a voltage signal received from the segment C1. When the first output terminal 1122 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), the transistor 1154 receives from the segment B1 the voltage signal intended to drive the second output terminal 1124 toward the high voltage level or low voltage level. Concurrently, the transistor 1156 receives from the segment C1 the voltage signal intended to drive the third output terminal 1126 toward the high voltage level or low voltage level. Upon receiving the voltage signals from the segment B1 and the segment C1, the transistor 1154 and the transistor 1156 are respectively activated (turned on) and together drive the first output terminal 1122 toward a voltage level within a voltage range bounded by the high voltage level (related to the second output terminal 1124 or the third output terminal 1126) and the low voltage level (related to the second output terminal 1124 or the third output terminal 1126). In an aspect, the segment A2 is turned off when the segment A1 drives the first output terminal 1122 toward a high voltage level or a low voltage level.

The segment C2 is configured to receive a pull-middle signal (Pm_c). The segment C2 includes a transistor 1164 configured to output a voltage signal based on a voltage signal received from the segment A1 and a transistor 1166 configured to output a voltage signal based on a voltage signal received from the segment B1. When the third output terminal 1126 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), the transistor 1164 receives from the segment A1 the voltage signal intended to drive the first output terminal 1122 toward the high voltage level or low voltage level. Concurrently, the transistor 1166 receives from the segment B1 the voltage signal intended to drive the second output terminal 1124 toward the high voltage level or low voltage level. Upon receiving the voltage signals from the segment A1 and the segment B1, the transistor 1164 and the transistor 1166 are respectively activated (turned on) and together drive the third output terminal 1126 toward a voltage level within a voltage range bounded by the high voltage level (related to the first output terminal 1122 or the second output terminal 1124) and the low voltage level (related to the first output terminal 1122 or the second output terminal 1124). In an aspect, the segment C2 is turned off when the segment C1 drives the third output terminal 1126 toward a high voltage level or a low voltage level.

In view of the disclosure above, because a source resistance is achieved using a split source termination topology, each individual driver segment may have a higher resistance resulting in area savings. Additionally, by implementing the split source termination topology, and utilizing two output wire level voltages to drive an output terminal toward a middle level voltage (instead of a voltage supply rail), an average current consumed by the driver is reduced, thus providing power savings. Moreover, because the middle level voltage is also being created at a receiver termination common mode, the current consumed for driving the output terminal to the middle level voltage diminishes as a common mode voltage stabilizes at both the transmitter and receiver. A further advantage of the above-described voltage mode driver is that a higher supply voltage can be used by selecting different pull-up and pull-down resistances. This enables an architecture that may forgo a low dropout (LDO) regulator, thus providing further area and power savings. Typically, the LDO regulator is used to provide a low level voltage supply (0.4) required for C-PHY signaling. Being able to use higher voltage supplies while maintaining the signaling requirements alleviates the need for the LDO regulator.

FIG. 13 illustrates a third example 1300 of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system. FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth example 1400 of line interfaces used to drive three signal wires in a 3-phase system. In the third example 1300 of FIG. 13, a voltage mode driver (transmitter) 1320 utilizes receiver (RX)-termination, wherein impedances may be provided at a receiver 1340 to cause transmission lines 1330 or output terminals 1322, 1324, and 1326 to more rapidly acquire a middle level voltage and to maintain the transmission lines 1330 or the output terminals 1322, 1324, and 1326 at the middle level voltage. As shown in FIG. 13, the transmission lines 1330 may have characteristic impedances of 50 Ohms, and the receiver 1340 may terminate the transmission lines 1330 using 50-Ohm impedances. However, termination at the receiver 1340 is not limited to the use of 50-Ohm impedances as various other impedance values may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. The fourth example 1400 of FIG. 14 may have an architecture that is almost identical to the architecture of the third example 1300 except that the voltage mode driver (transmitter) 1320 does not utilize RX-termination (referred to as “RX-untermination” in FIG. 14). Hence, in the fourth example 1400, impedances are not provided at a receiver side to cause the transmission lines 1330 (or the output terminals 1322, 1324, and 1326) to more rapidly acquire a middle level voltage and/or maintain the transmission lines 1330 (or the output terminals 1322, 1324, and 1326) at the middle level voltage.

For both the third example 1300 (RX-termination case) and the fourth example 1400 (RX-untermination case), the line interfaces that drive the three signal wires (i.e., output terminals 1322, 1324, and 1326) operate in a similar way. Therefore, the driving of the output terminals by the line interfaces will be described with respect to the third example 1300. However, the description may also apply to the fourth example 1400.

In an aspect, the voltage mode driver 1320 uses a pull-up segment (or driver) and a pull-down segment (or driver) to drive an associated output terminal toward a high level voltage and a low level voltage. The voltage mode driver 1320 further uses an additional segment (or driver) dedicated to driving the associated output terminal toward a middle level voltage. The middle level voltage driven by the additional segment may be derived from a same voltage supply rail used by the pull-up segment for driving the associated output terminal toward the high level voltage.

The voltage mode driver 1320 may include a first pull-up transistor 1302 for driving a first output terminal 1322 toward a high level voltage based on a received first pull-up signal (Pu_a) and a first pull-down transistor 1304 for driving the first output terminal 1322 toward a low level voltage based on a received first pull-down signal (Pd_a). When the first output terminal 1322 is to be driven toward the high level voltage (e.g., +1 signaling state), the first pull-up transistor 1302 is turned on and the first pull-down transistor 1304 is turned off, thus causing the first output terminal 1322 to be actively driven toward the high level voltage. When the first output terminal 1322 is to be driven toward the low level voltage (e.g., −1 signaling state), the first pull-down transistor 1304 is turned on and the first pull-up transistor 1302 is turned off, thus causing the first output terminal 1322 to be actively driven toward the low level voltage. When the first output terminal 1322 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), both the first pull-up transistor 1302 and the first pull-down transistor 1304 are turned off.

The voltage mode driver 1320 may also include a second pull-up transistor 1306 for driving a second output terminal 1324 toward a high level voltage based on a received second pull-up signal (Pu_b) and a second pull-down transistor 1308 for driving the second output terminal 1324 toward a low level voltage based on a received second pull-down signal (Pd_b). When the second output terminal 1324 is to be driven toward the high level voltage (e.g., +1 signaling state), the second pull-up transistor 1306 is turned on and the second pull-down transistor 1308 is turned off, thus causing the second output terminal 1324 to be actively driven toward the high level voltage. When the second output terminal 1324 is to be driven toward the low level voltage (e.g., −1 signaling state), the second pull-down transistor 1308 is turned on and the second pull-up transistor 1306 is turned off, thus causing the second output terminal 1324 to be actively driven toward the low level voltage. When the second output terminal 1324 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), both the second pull-up transistor 1306 and the second pull-down transistor 1308 are turned off.

The voltage mode driver 1220 may further include a third pull-up transistor 1310 for driving a third output terminal 1326 toward a high level voltage based on a received third pull-up signal (Pu_c) and a third pull-down transistor 1312 for driving the third output terminal 1326 toward a low level voltage based on a received third pull-down signal (Pd_c). When the third output terminal 1326 is to be driven toward the high level voltage (e.g., +1 signaling state), the third pull-up transistor 1310 is turned on and the third pull-down transistor 1312 is turned off, thus causing the third output terminal 1326 to be actively driven toward the high level voltage. When the third output terminal 1326 is to be driven toward the low level voltage (e.g., −1 signaling state), the third pull-down transistor 1312 is turned on and the third pull-up transistor 1310 is turned off, thus causing the third output terminal 1326 to be actively driven toward the low level voltage. When the third output terminal 1326 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state), both the third pull-up transistor 1310 and the third pull-down transistor 1312 are turned off.

The voltage mode driver 1320 may further include additional segments (or drivers) dedicated to driving respective output terminals toward the middle level voltage. For example, a first pull-middle transistor 1314 drives the first output terminal 1322 toward the middle level voltage, a second pull-middle transistor 1316 drives the second output terminal 1324 toward the middle level voltage, and a third pull-middle transistor 1318 drives the third output terminal 1326 toward the middle level voltage.

As an example, an operation for driving an output terminal toward the middle level voltage will be first described with respect to the first pull-middle transistor 1314 configured to drive the first output terminal 1322 toward the middle level voltage. Notably, the operation for driving the second output terminal 1324 using the second pull-middle transistor 1316 and the operation for driving the third output terminal 1326 using the third pull-middle transistor 1318 is similar to the described operation for driving the first output terminal 1322 using the first pull-middle transistor 1314.

The first pull-middle transistor 1314 is configured to receive a first pull-middle signal (Pm_a). When the first output terminal 1322 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state) based on the Pm_a, the first pull-middle transistor 1314 is activated using a supply voltage VM and drives the first output terminal 1322 toward a voltage level within a voltage range bounded by the high voltage level and the low voltage level. In an aspect, the first pull-middle transistor 1314 is turned off when the first pull-up transistor 1302 drives the first output terminal 1322 toward the high voltage level or when the first pull-down transistor 1304 drives the first output terminal 1322 toward the low voltage level. In an aspect, the supply voltage VM used to activate the first pull-middle transistor 1314 is supplied/derived from a same voltage supply rail that supplies a voltage VO used to activate the first pull-up transistor 1302. Hence, a voltage regulator that regulates the voltage VM supplied to the first pull-middle transistor 1314 also regulates the voltage VO supplied to the first pull-up transistor 1302.

The second pull-middle transistor 1316 is configured to receive a second pull-middle signal (Pm_b). When the second output terminal 1324 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state) based on the Pm_b, the second pull-middle transistor 1316 is activated using a supply voltage VM and drives the second output terminal 1324 toward a voltage level within a voltage range bounded by the high voltage level and the low voltage level. In an aspect, the second pull-middle transistor 1316 is turned off when the second pull-up transistor 1306 drives the second output terminal 1324 toward the high voltage level or when the second pull-down transistor 1308 drives the second output terminal 1324 toward the low voltage level. In an aspect, the supply voltage VM used to activate the second pull-middle transistor 1316 is supplied/derived from a same voltage supply rail that supplies a voltage VO used to activate the second pull-up transistor 1306. Hence, a voltage regulator that regulates the voltage VM supplied to the second pull-middle transistor 1316 also regulates the voltage VO supplied to the second pull-up transistor 1306.

The third pull-middle transistor 1318 is configured to receive a third pull-middle signal (Pm_c). When the third output terminal 1326 is to be driven toward the middle level voltage (e.g., 0 signaling state) based on the Pm_c, the third pull-middle transistor 1318 is activated using a supply voltage VM and drives the third output terminal 1326 toward a voltage level within a voltage range bounded by the high voltage level and the low voltage level. In an aspect, the third pull-middle transistor 1318 is turned off when the third pull-up transistor 1310 drives the third output terminal 1326 toward the high voltage level or when the third pull-down transistor 1312 drives the third output terminal 1326 toward the low voltage level. In an aspect, the supply voltage VM used to activate the third pull-middle transistor 1318 is supplied/derived from a same voltage supply rail that supplies a voltage VO used to activate the third pull-up transistor 1310. Hence, a voltage regulator that regulates the voltage VM supplied to the third pull-middle transistor 1318 also regulates the voltage VO supplied to the third pull-up transistor 1310.

FIG. 15 illustrates a first example 1500 of an LDO regulator in operation with a pull-up transistor and a pull-middle transistor. FIG. 16 illustrates a second example 1600 of an LDO regulator in operation with the pull-up transistor and the pull-middle transistor. In the first example 1500, an LDO regulator 1502 regulates a voltage supplied to the first pull-up transistor 1302 but does not regulate a voltage VM supplied to the first pull-middle transistor 1314. According to the first example 1500, the voltage VM supplied to the first pull-middle transistor 1314 is received via a supply branch that is a duplicate of a branch used by the LDO regulator 1502 to regulate the voltage supplied to the first pull-up transistor 1302. In the second example 1600, an LDO regulator 1602 regulates both the voltage supplied to the first pull-up transistor 1302 and the voltage VM supplied to the first pull-middle transistor 1314. According to the second example 1600, the voltage VM supplied to the first pull-middle transistor 1314 is received via a same supply branch used by the LDO regulator 1602 to regulate the voltage supplied to the first pull-up transistor 1302.

In view of the disclosure above, a voltage driven by a pull-middle segment (transistor/driver) is derived from a same voltage supply rail supplying a voltage used by a pull-up segment (transistor/driver) for driving an output terminal toward a high level voltage. Accordingly, current consumed by the pull-middle driver diminishes as a common mode voltage and the middle level voltage stabilizes at the receiver and transmitter, respectively. This results in lower power consumption without sacrificing performance benefits gained by driving the middle voltage during transitions. Another advantage is that when the topology described above is utilized without receiver termination, no direct current (DC) path exists, and only alternating current (AC) for charging and discharging an output wire capacitance is consumed. This allows for very low power operation for low data rate applications without receiver termination.

Exemplary Device and Methods for Driving a Signal Wire in a Three-Phase Communication Link

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating select components of an apparatus 1700 according to at least one example of the disclosure. The apparatus 1700 includes an external bus interface (or communication interface circuit) 1702, a storage medium 1704, a user interface 1706, a memory device 1708, and a processing circuit 1710. The processing circuit is coupled to or placed in electrical communication with each of the external bus interface 1702, the storage medium 1704, the user interface 1706, and the memory device 1708.

The external bus interface 1702 provides an interface for the components of the apparatus 1700 to an external bus 1712. The external bus interface 1702 may include, for example, one or more of: signal driver circuits, signal receiver circuits, amplifiers, signal filters, signal buffers, or other circuitry used to interface with a signaling bus or other types of signaling media.

The processing circuit 1710 is arranged to obtain, process and/or send data, control data access and storage, issue commands, and control other desired operations. The processing circuit 1710 may include circuitry adapted to implement desired programming provided by appropriate media in at least one example. In some instances, the processing circuit 1710 may include circuitry adapted to perform a desired function, with or without implementing programming. By way of example, the processing circuit 1710 may be implemented as one or more processors, one or more controllers, and/or other structure configured to execute executable programming and/or perform a desired function. Examples of the processing circuit 1710 may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic component, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may include a microprocessor, as well as any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processing circuit 1710 may also be implemented as a combination of computing components, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a number of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, an ASIC and a microprocessor, or any other number of varying configurations. These examples of the processing circuit 1710 are for illustration and other suitable configurations within the scope of the disclosure are also contemplated.

The processing circuit 1710 is adapted for processing, including the execution of programming, which may be stored on the storage medium 1704. As used herein, the terms “programming” or “instructions” shall be construed broadly to include without limitation instruction sets, instructions, code, code segments, program code, programs, programming, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

In some instances, the processing circuit 1710 may include one or more of: a data-to-symbol mapping circuit/module 1714, a symbol-to-signal encoding circuit/module 1716, a signal obtaining circuit/module 1718, or a terminal driving circuit/module 1720.

The data-to-symbol mapping circuit/module 1714 may include circuitry and/or instructions (e.g., data-to-symbol mapping instructions 1722 stored on the storage medium 1704) adapted to map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals. For example, in some implementations, the data is first retrieved from the memory device 1708 and then mapped to the sequence of symbols by the data-to-symbol mapping circuit/module 1714. The sequence of symbols are then output (e.g., stored in the memory device 1708 or passed to another component).

The symbol-to-signal encoding circuit/module 1716 may include circuitry and/or instructions (e.g., symbol-to-signal encoding instructions 1724 stored on the storage medium 1704) adapted to encode the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol. For example, in some implementations, the sequence of symbols are first obtained from the memory device 1708 or the data-to-symbol mapping circuit/module 1714 and then encoded in three signals by the symbol-to-signal encoding circuit/module 1716. The signals are then output (e.g., stored in the memory device 1708 or passed to another component).

The signal obtaining circuit/module 1718 may include circuitry and/or instructions (e.g., signal obtaining instructions 1726 stored on the storage medium 1704) adapted to obtain a signal to be transmitted via a terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals. For example, in some implementations, the signal is obtained from the memory device 1708 or the symbol-to-signal encoding circuit/module 1716 by the signal obtaining circuit/module 1718.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the terminal driving circuit/module 1720 may include circuitry and/or instructions (e.g., terminal driving instructions 1728 stored on the storage medium 1704) adapted to drive a first terminal by outputting a first voltage level from a first driver when the signal is in a first phase, drive the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level from the first driver when the signal is in a second phase, drive the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level from a second driver when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals, driving the second terminal by outputting the fourth voltage level from a third driver, and drive the third terminal by outputting the fifth voltage level from a fourth driver. In another aspect of the disclosure, the terminal driving circuit/module 1720 may include circuitry and/or instructions (e.g., terminal driving instructions 1728 stored on the storage medium 1704) adapted to drive the terminal by turning on a first transistor when the signal is in a first phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a first voltage level when the first transistor is turned on, drive the terminal by turning on a second transistor when the signal is in a second phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a second voltage level when the second transistor is turned on, and drive the terminal by turning on a third transistor when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the terminal is driven towards a third voltage level when the third transistor is turned on, and wherein the third transistor is turned on based on a voltage supplied from a voltage regulator that also regulates a voltage supplied to the first transistor.

The storage medium 1704 may represent one or more processor-readable devices for storing programming, electronic data, databases, or other digital information. The storage medium 1704 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processing circuit 1710 when executing programming. The storage medium 1704 may be any available media that can be accessed by the processing circuit 1710, including portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing and/or carrying programming By way of example and not limitation, the storage medium 1704 may include a processor-readable storage medium such as a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical storage medium (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive), random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk, and/or other mediums for storing programming, as well as any combination thereof. Thus, in some implementations, the storage medium may be a non-transitory (e.g., tangible) storage medium.

The storage medium 1704 may be coupled to the processing circuit 1710 such that the processing circuit 1710 can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium 1704. That is, the storage medium 1704 can be coupled to the processing circuit 1710 so that the storage medium 1704 is at least accessible by the processing circuit 1710, including examples where the storage medium 1704 is integral to the processing circuit 1710 and/or examples where the storage medium 1704 is separate from the processing circuit 1710.

Programming/instructions stored by the storage medium 1704, when executed by the processing circuit 1710, causes the processing circuit 1710 to perform one or more of the various functions and/or process steps described herein. For example, the storage medium 1704 may include one or more of: the data-to-symbol mapping instructions 1722, the symbol-to-signal encoding instructions 1724, the signal obtaining instructions 1726, or the terminal driving instructions 1728. Thus, according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, the processing circuit 1710 is adapted to perform (in conjunction with the storage medium 1704) any or all of the processes, functions, steps and/or routines for any or all of the apparatuses described herein. As used herein, the term “adapted” in relation to the processing circuit 1710 may refer to the processing circuit 1710 being one or more of configured, employed, implemented, and/or programmed (in conjunction with the storage medium 1704) to perform a particular process, function, step and/or routine according to various features described herein.

The memory device 1708 may represent one or more memory devices and may comprise any of the memory technologies listed above or any other suitable memory technology. The memory device 1708 may store delay-related information, along with other information used by one or more of the components of the apparatus 1700. The memory device 1708 also may be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processing circuit 1710 or some other component of the apparatus 1700. In some implementations, the memory device 1708 and the storage medium 1704 are implemented as a common memory component.

The user interface 1706 includes functionality that enables a user to interact with the apparatus 1700. For example, the user interface 1706 may interface with one or more user output devices (e.g., a display device, etc.) and one or more user input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a tactile input device, etc.).

With the above in mind, examples of operations relating to multi-wire signaling according to the disclosure will be described in more detail in conjunction with the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19. For convenience, the operations of FIGS. 18 and 19 (or any other operations discussed or taught herein) may be described as being performed by specific components. It should be appreciated, however, that in various implementations these operations may be performed by other types of components and may be performed using a different number of components. It also should be appreciated that one or more of the operations described herein may not be employed in a given implementation.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a data transfer method. The data transfer method may involve transmission of a plurality of symbols in multiphase signals. Each symbol may define a phase state for each signal and polarity for certain pairs of signals. The method may be performed by a transmitter (e.g., voltage mode driver 1120 or apparatus 1700).

The transmitter may map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals 1802. The transmitter may further encode the sequence of symbols in three signals 1804. Each of the three signals may be in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted. The three signals may be in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol.

The transmitter may obtain 1806 a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) of the plurality of terminals (e.g., output terminals 1122, 1124, 1126). The signal may be one of the three signals.

The transmitter may drive the first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) by outputting a first voltage level (e.g., corresponding to a high level voltage) from a first driver (e.g. driver B1) when the signal is in a first phase 1808.

The transmitter may drive the first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) by outputting a second voltage level (e.g., corresponding to a low level voltage) from the first driver (e.g., driver B1) when the signal is in a second phase 1810.

The transmitter may drive a second terminal (e.g., output terminal 1122) of the plurality of terminals by outputting a fourth voltage level (e.g., corresponding to a high level voltage or a low level voltage) from a third driver (e.g., driver A1) and drive a third terminal (e.g., output terminal 1126) of the plurality of terminals by outputting a fifth voltage level (e.g., corresponding to a high level voltage or a low level voltage) from a fourth driver (e.g., driver C1) 1812.

The transmitter may drive the first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) by outputting a third voltage level (e.g., corresponding to a middle level voltage) from a second driver (e.g., driver B2) when the signal is in a third phase 1814. The third voltage level is output based on the fourth voltage level output from the third driver (e.g., driver A1) for driving the second terminal (e.g., output terminal 1122), and based on the fifth voltage level output from the fourth driver (e.g., driver C1) for driving the third terminal (e.g., output terminal 1126). Moreover, the third voltage level is within a range bounded by the first voltage level and the second voltage level.

According to certain aspects disclosed herein, the first driver (e.g., driver B1) includes a first transistor (e.g., pull-up transistor 1106) and a second transistor (e.g., pull-down transistor 1108). Hence, the transmitter may output the first voltage level from the first driver by turning on the first transistor and turning off the second transistor to output the first voltage level when the signal is in the first phase. The first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) is driven towards the first voltage level (e.g., high level voltage) when the first voltage level is output. Moreover, the transmitter may output the second voltage level from the first driver by turning on the second transistor and turning off the first transistor to output the second voltage level when the signal is in the second phase. The first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) is driven towards the second voltage level (e.g., low voltage level) when the second voltage level is output. The first transistor (e.g., pull-up transistor 1106) and the second transistor (e.g., pull-down transistor 1108) are turned off when the signal is in the third phase.

According to certain aspects disclosed herein, the second driver (e.g., driver B2) includes a third transistor (e.g. transistor 1114) and a fourth transistor (e.g., transistor 1116). Hence, the transmitter may output the third voltage level from the second driver when the signal is in the third phase by receiving the fourth voltage level output from the third driver (e.g., driver A1) and the fifth voltage level output from the fourth driver (e.g., driver C1), and turning on the third transistor (e.g., transistor 1114) and the fourth transistor (e.g., transistor 1116) of the second driver (e.g., driver B2) according to the received fourth voltage level and the received fifth voltage level to output the third voltage level. The first terminal (e.g., output terminal 1124) is driven towards the third voltage level (e.g., middle level voltage) when the third voltage level is output. In an aspect of the disclosure, the third voltage level (e.g., middle level voltage) is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level (e.g., high level voltage) and the second voltage level (e.g., low level voltage). Moreover, the third transistor (e.g., transistor 1114) and the fourth transistor (e.g., transistor 1116) are turned off when the signal is in the first phase or in the second phase.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a data transfer method. The data transfer method may involve transmission of a plurality of symbols in multiphase signals. Each symbol may define a phase state for each signal and polarity for certain pairs of signals. The method may be performed by a transmitter (e.g., voltage mode driver 1320 or apparatus 1700).

The transmitter may map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals 1902. The transmitter may further encode the sequence of symbols in three signals 1904. Each of the three signals may be in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted. The three signals may be in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol.

The transmitter may obtain 1906 a signal to be transmitted via a terminal (e.g., output terminal 1322, 1324, or 1326) of the plurality of terminals. The signal may be one of the three signals.

The transmitter may drive the terminal by turning on a first transistor (e.g., pull-up transistor 1302, 1306, or 1310) and turning off a second transistor (e.g., pull-down transistor 1304, 1308, or 1312) when the first signal is in a first phase 1908. The terminal is driven towards a first voltage level (e.g., high level voltage) when the first transistor is turned on.

The transmitter may drive the terminal by turning on the second transistor (e.g., pull-down transistor 1304, 1308, or 1312) and turning off the first transistor (e.g., pull-up transistor 1302, 1306, or 1310) when the first signal is in a second phase 1910. The terminal is driven towards a second voltage level (e.g., low level voltage) when the second transistor is turned on.

The transmitter may drive the terminal by turning on a third transistor (e.g., pull-middle transistor 1314, 1316, or 1318) when the first signal is in a third phase. The terminal is driven towards a third voltage level (e.g., middle level voltage) when the third transistor is turned on. In an aspect of the disclosure, the third voltage level is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level (e.g., high level voltage) and the second voltage level (e.g., low level voltage). In a further aspect of the disclosure, the third transistor (e.g., pull-middle transistor 1314, 1316, or 1318) is turned on based on a voltage (e.g., voltage VM) supplied from a voltage regulator (e.g., LDO 1602) that also regulates a voltage (e.g., voltage VO) supplied to the first transistor (e.g., pull-up transistor 1302, 1306, or 1310).

According to aspects disclosed herein, driving the terminal when the first signal is in the third phase may include the transmitter turning off the first transistor (e.g., pull-up transistor 1302, 1306, or 1310) and the second transistor (e.g., pull-down transistor 1304, 1308, or 1312). Moreover, driving the terminal when the first signal is in the first phase or in the second phase may include the transmitter may turn off the third transistor (e.g., pull-middle transistor 1314, 1316, or 1318).

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. The specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged based upon design preferences. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of data transfer, comprising: mapping data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via a plurality of terminals; encoding the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol; obtaining a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals; driving the first terminal by outputting a first voltage level from a first driver when the signal is in a first phase; driving the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level from the first driver when the signal is in a second phase; and driving the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level from a second driver when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level output from a third driver for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level output from a fourth driver for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third voltage level is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level and the second voltage level.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first driver includes a first transistor and a second transistor, and wherein the outputting the first voltage level from the first driver includes turning on the first transistor and turning off the second transistor to output the first voltage level when the signal is in the first phase, wherein the first terminal is driven towards the first voltage level when the first voltage level is output.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the outputting the second voltage level from the first driver includes turning on the second transistor and turning off the first transistor to output the second voltage level when the signal is in the second phase, wherein the first terminal is driven towards the second voltage level when the second voltage level is output.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are turned off when the signal is in the third phase.
 6. The method of claim 1, further including: driving the second terminal by outputting the fourth voltage level from the third driver to the second terminal, wherein the fourth voltage level is further output to the second driver; and driving the third terminal by outputting the fifth voltage level from the fourth driver to the third terminal, wherein the fifth voltage level is further output to the second driver.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second driver includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and the outputting the third voltage level from the second driver when the signal is in the third phase includes: receiving the fourth voltage level output from the third driver and the fifth voltage level output from the fourth driver; and turning on the third transistor and the fourth transistor of the second driver according to the received fourth voltage level and the received fifth voltage level to output the third voltage level, wherein the first terminal is driven towards the third voltage level when the third voltage level is output.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third transistor and the fourth transistor are turned off when the signal is in the first phase or in the second phase.
 9. A transmitter, comprising: a plurality of terminals driven by line drivers; a processing circuit configured to: map data to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires via the plurality of terminals, encode the sequence of symbols in three signals, wherein each of the three signals is in one of three phases for each symbol to be transmitted, and wherein the three signals are in different phases from one another during transmission of each symbol, and obtain a signal to be transmitted via a first terminal of the plurality of terminals, wherein the signal is one of the three signals; a first line driver configured to: drive the first terminal by outputting a first voltage level when the signal is in a first phase, and drive the first terminal by outputting a second voltage level when the signal is in a second phase; and a second line driver configured to drive the first terminal by outputting a third voltage level when the signal is in a third phase, wherein the third voltage level is output based on a fourth voltage level output from a third line driver for driving a second terminal of the plurality of terminals, and based on a fifth voltage level output from a fourth line driver for driving a third terminal of the plurality of terminals.
 10. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the third voltage level is within a voltage range bounded by the first voltage level and the second voltage level.
 11. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the first line driver includes a first transistor and a second transistor, and wherein the first line driver is configured to turn on the first transistor and turn off the second transistor to output the first voltage level when the signal is in the first phase, wherein the first terminal is driven towards the first voltage level when the first voltage level is output.
 12. The transmitter of claim 11, wherein the first line driver is configured to turn on the second transistor and turn off the first transistor to output the second voltage level when the signal is in the second phase, wherein the first terminal is driven towards the second voltage level when the second voltage level is output.
 13. The transmitter of claim 11, wherein the first line driver is configured to turn off the first transistor and the second transistor when the signal is in the third phase.
 14. The transmitter of claim 9, further including: the third line driver configured to drive the second terminal by outputting the fourth voltage level to the second terminal, wherein the fourth voltage level is further output to the second line driver; and the fourth line driver configured to drive the third terminal by outputting the fifth voltage level to the third terminal, wherein the fifth voltage level is further output to the second line driver.
 15. The transmitter of claim 14, wherein the second line driver includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and wherein the second line driver configured to output the third voltage level when the signal is in the third phase is configured to: receive the fourth voltage level output from the third line driver and the fifth voltage level output from the fourth line driver; and turn on the third transistor and the fourth transistor of the second line driver according to the received fourth voltage level and the received fifth voltage level to output the third voltage level, wherein the first terminal is driven towards the third voltage level when the third voltage level is output.
 16. The transmitter of claim 15, wherein the second line driver is configured to turn off the third transistor and the fourth transistor when the signal is in the first phase or in the second phase. 